The bizarre Doc Rivers saga took another unexpected twist Thursday night, when the Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett reported that Rivers actually never planned to be part of a rebuilding process and the Boston Celtics have known that since signing him to a five-year contract extension in 2011.

According to Bulpett, it was the Celtics -- not Rivers -- who broached the possibility of Rivers coaching elsewhere next season. The team asked Rivers if he would consider any open jobs, ultimately asking him specifically whether he would like the Clippers gig. By the time they asked Rivers for his thoughts on Los Angeles, Bulpett reported, the Celtics had already held preliminary discussions with the Clippers about what they would need to surrender for the right to pry Rivers away.

Let's say for the purpose of discussion that the story's true and not the spin work of someone within the NBA who possesses ulterior motives. (Note: That's not a shot at Bulpett, for my money one of the best beat writers on earth. The Rivers story just long ago accelerated into the "why did that story leak and what was the source's agenda?" stage.) If the Celtics really extended Rivers for five years knowing he only intended to stay for two or three, it was a brilliant, forward-thinking move.

Instead of losing their coach for nothing whenever his contract ended, the Celtics can try to extract serious compensation for him. The Clippers are reportedly being difficult now during negotiations, but previously discussed the framework of a deal that would have essentially sent two first-rounders to Boston for the right to hire Rivers. The Denver Nuggets have also reportedly made an offer for Rivers, hoping to lure him away by dangling a first-round pick.

Ainge has gotten creative before, but peering many years into the future to secure compensation for Rivers would be one of his finest tricks. I don't even want to discuss the notion of "loyalty" right now and whether Rivers "owes" it to the Celtics to stick with them through the rebuilding process. That's another topic for another day. The cold, hard truth of the matter is that Boston isn't a contender right now. Securing picks for Rivers could help the Celtics take one step closer, but in that case they'll need to find another capable leader.